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. 2023 Feb 10;13(4):687.
doi: 10.3390/nano13040687.

Combustion Synthesis of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ Phosphorescent Pigments for Glow-in-the-Dark Safety Markings

Radu Lazău  1 , Robert Ianoș  1 , Cornelia Păcurariu  1 , Diana Aylin Căpraru  1 , Andrei Racu  2 , Vlad Cornea  1   3
Affiliations

Combustion Synthesis of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ Phosphorescent Pigments for Glow-in-the-Dark Safety Markings

Radu Lazău et al. Nanomaterials (Basel). .

Abstract

This study deals with SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor pigments prepared by an optimized perchlorate-assisted combustion synthesis and tested for developing glow-in-the-dark safety markings. Recipes with different oxidizer/fuel ratios were designed to create an in-situ reducing-reaction atmosphere and promote Eu3+ → Eu2+ reduction, which is responsible for the specific long-lasting, green emission of the pigments. The obtained data proved the efficiency of glycine-rich mixtures (up to 200% glycine excess), which led to improved optical features, as compared to the reference stoichiometric sample. The best results in terms of emission intensity and decay time were obtained in the case of 100% glycine excess. The sample with optimum emission characteristics was successfully tested in making glow-in-the-dark coatings applied to two different substrates and using pigment concentrations between 10 and 33% weight.

Keywords: combustion synthesis; glow-in-the-dark; perchlorates; phosphorescent pigments; safety markings.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The temperature evolution during the combustion synthesis of sample F.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Combustion-reaction temperature and duration.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Images captured during the combustion reaction (sample E).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Thermal analysis of precursor mixture F.
Figure 5
Figure 5
X-ray diffraction patterns of the obtained samples (A, D–G) and commercial sample (CS) samples (color codes: CS—red, A—black, D—blue, E—turquoise, F—magenta, G—green).
Figure 6
Figure 6
BET surface area of the samples (color codes: A—red, D—green, E—blue, F—turquoise, G—magenta).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Excitation and emission spectra of the prepared samples by comparison to a commercial sample (CS) samples (color codes: A—red, D—green, E—magenta, F—orange, G—turquoise, CS—black).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Image in the dark of the prepared samples after irradiation with VIS light.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Variation of the PL intensity as a function of fuel excess.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Decay curves of samples A and F.
Figure 11
Figure 11
EDX and SEM images of samples A and F.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Images of the applied coatings under the 365 nm UV irradiation.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Real-life test of the pigment–organic matrix system prepared with 33% F pigment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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